Back in 1979, Takohachi opened in Osaka.
It is said that the popular Japanese snack known as Takoyaki, was born in Osaka back in the early Showa era. While there are many opinions in regards to the roots of takoyaki, people feel the origin of takoyaki was inspired by Akashiyaki, a small round dumpling created in the city of Akashi in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.
While akashiyaki is made of egg-rich batter and octopus dipped into dashi, while similar to takoyaki made in a special molded pan, akashiyaki has a softer, eggy texture.
But as takoyaki was beloved by people in Osaka, after World War II, okonomiyaki was created.
And Takohachi has dedicated their restaurant around both, takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
And the restaurants are now in the Kansai area, near JR Shinbashi Station in Tokyo, one in the Tokai district and in Takashimaya locations in Okayama and Tottori.
Since I was in the shopping district Dotonbori, I decided to check out the Dotonbori Takohachi Sohonten. While I have eaten takoyaki and okonomiyaki many times before, not in the place it originated from…Osaka. And when it comes to history and well-respected, Takohachi was the place I wanted to try the most.
So, I decided to head to the third floor where one can dine and just chill.
The first floor is great for those who want to stand and eat, the second floor is where you can dine but you sit on counter seats. The third floor is where you want to go for a normal table seat to dine.
Takohachi’s takoyaki is truly delicious. High-protein and low in calories, it’s octopus with green onion, red ginger and takoyaki sauce.
Okonomiyaki is often called “Japanese Pizza” and features cabbage, dried bonito flakes, flour and octopus. With an egg on top along with mayonnaise and okonomiyaki sauce, it was truly delicious!
How it works is they have everything mixed in bowl, prepare it on the grill (it’s pretty much dropping the contents from the bowl onto the grill then they add the egg, mayo, sauce, etc.) and when you are ready to eat, use the spatula and put some on your plate. That’s it.
And both were absolutely delicious!
They also sell Negiyaki which is green onions instead of cabbage, Ikayaki (think of omurice but instead of rice, it’s octoupus and the egg portion is egg with crisp flour texture), fried soba and akashiyaki.
Overall, I recommend Takohachi but just know that the third floor is not big, so there may be a waiting time to eat if the place is packed.
Experience Osaka takoyaki and okonomiyaki at Dotonbori Takohachi Sohonten!
Recommended!
